What’s Happening In Narelle’s World?
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year and welcome to mid-January! We're in the middle of summer in Australia and experiencing heatwaves. Lightning strikes have ignited multiple fires to our south in northern Victoria. We're praying for soaking rain to extinguish all of the fires. We're also praying for those who are dealing with flooding in other parts of Australia.
For the first time I've set an official reading challenge at Goodreads. One of my goals is to be more diligent in tracking my reading. My goal is 50 books which should be achievable.
I have multiple giveaways on offer this month, including my usual newsletter subscriber-only paperback giveaway (scroll down for more information).
I've featured Kristine Delano's debut novel, The Lies We Trade and Aussie author Megan Short's second book from Love Inspired Suspense, Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier, in recent Fan Girling podcast/YouTube episodes. On Monday I'm dropping an author chat episode with the lovely Kristine.
The Lies We Trade - Paperback Giveaway for USA readers
Enter at the following link: https://www.narelleatkins.com/fan-girling-with-narelle-episode-49-love-suspense-the-lies-we-trade-by-kristine-delano-giveaway/
Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier - Paperback Giveaway for AUSTRALIAN readers
Enter at the following link: https://www.narelleatkins.com/fan-girling-with-narelle-episode-48-love-romantic-suspense-trapped-on-the-alaskan-glacier-by-megan-short-giveaway/
Australasian Christian Writers Blog - Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier - Paperback Giveaway for AUSTRALIAN readers
Enter at the following link: https://australasianchristianwriters.com/friday-fiction-trapped-on-the-alaskan-glacier-by-megan-short-with-giveaway/
Fan Girling with Narelle
Visit the Podcast Page on my website for links to my podcast and YouTube episodes. Here are the links to my recent episodes.
Ep. 49 – Love Suspense: The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano + Giveaway
Ep. 48 – Love Romantic Suspense: Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier by Megan Short + Giveaway
Ep. 47 – Love Romantic Suspense: Into the Fire by Irene Hannon
Ep. 46 – Love Contemporary Romance: My Merry Mistake by Courtney Walsh
Ep. 45 – Love Romantic Suspense: Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong
Book Recommendations
I’ve shared a few fiction book recommendations on my blog since I sent out my last newsletter.
Book Recommendation – Edge of Truth by Janice Cantore
Book Recommendation – Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon
Book Recommendation – Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier by Megan Short
Book Recommendation – My Merry Mistake by Courtney Walsh
For those interested in learning about Christian fiction new releases, I also compile a monthly new releases post on my blog — Christian Fiction New Releases - January 2026.
I have a Friday weekly blog series showcasing books on preorder. Here are the links to my recent "Narelle's Preorder Roundup" blog posts:
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 1/16/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 1/9/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 1/2/26
Narelle’s Preorder Roundup: 12/19/25
Paperback Giveaway - Small Town Harmony or Into the Fire
My Christian contemporary romance selection is Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt that's set in England. Ezra and Martha have been married for eight years and their marriage is in trouble. He's a Christian musician, singer, and songwriter, and she's a popstar on a world tour. I loved journeying with them as they worked on restoring their marriage and healing past emotional wounds. I recommend Small Town Harmony to contemporary romance readers who like marriage in trouble romances with second chances, celebrity musician characters, women’s fiction themes, and strong faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-small-town-harmony-by-milla-holt/
My alternative selection is Into the Fire by Irene Hannon, a romantic suspense novel set in St. Louis. Bri is investigating a house fire and Marc is a special agent from Chicago who's assisting Bri. Their romance is sweet and they both have emotional baggage to unpack while dealing with unknown danger. I recommend Into the Fire to romantic suspense readers who like friends-to-more romances with law enforcement characters, forced proximity, danger, intriguing mysteries and relevant faith elements in the story. Read my book recommendation here:
https://www.narelleatkins.com/book-recommendation-into-the-fire-by-irene-hannon/
The paperback giveaway is open to readers with USA and Australian mailing addresses who can receive paperback books from Amazon USA or Amazon Australia. The choice of book is subject to availability from Amazon.
I’m happy to substitute an ebook for readers who live outside USA and Australia, as long as they have digital access to ebooks at either Amazon USA or Amazon Australia and can redeem an Amazon gift card for the equivalent US or Australian ebook price at the US or Australian store.
To enter the giveaway, please reply to this email by JANUARY 23, 2026 (USA Pacific West Coast Time Zone) and include your first name and the name of the country where you live and include the book title ( or Into the Fire) that you'd like to win.
The winner will be contacted by JANUARY 25, 2026 to arrange the delivery of their paperback book.
Our DECEMBER winner, Glenda He... (gmail address) hasn't replied to claim her book. Or, something wonky has happened and I'm not receiving Glenda's email replies. Glenda, if you have reached out and I'm not seeing your emails, please reply to this email and also contact me via my website contact form with your mailing address and I'll send you the Christmas book you selected.
Questions for You
Do you participate in reading challenges? Have you set a reading goal for 2026?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and I will do my best to reply to your emails within 7 days. If I receive an undelivered email message, I’ll try again and send a second reply. If you don’t receive a reply from me, please let me know because emails can go astray. You can contact me via my website.
Discover New Authors + FREE ebooks
This year I’m featuring more free ebooks (in exchange for newsletter signup). In 2025 I took a break from participating in BookFunnel promos. It can be overwhelming and I’m a self-confessed hoarder of unread free ebooks. My ebook TBR (to-be-read) list is full of freebies I’ve downloaded ‘just in case I have time…’
In recent years I’ve become more disciplined in what I buy. I love discovering new-to-me authors. These days, with the rise of AI written books, I’m more interested in joining author newsletter lists and following authors on the socials for what I call ‘proof of life’ verification. I want to know that a real person is behind the books I’m reading.
I haven’t read all of the books in the Romantic January promo and more than half of the authors are new-to-me. I’ve spotlighted books and shared recommendations by many of the authors in previous newsletters including Jan Thompson, Karen Baney, Melanie D. Snitker, Lisa M. Prysock, Evangeline Kelly, and Dora Hiers.
I have read FALLING FOR A DEVOTED COWGIRL that’s available for free and here’s my book recommendation:
Book Recommendation – Falling for a Devoted Cowgirl by Karen Baney
Here’s the BookFunnel website link for all of the free ebooks in the promo:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/ccr-lb-2026-january/fpcb82381h
Final Thoughts
Thanks for journeying with me on my often crazy and challenging book publishing journey. If you’re a praying person, I’d love continued prayers that I will write new words for my Chapel Cove Romance book. I've set a goal of writing three books in 2026. I have stories and characters brewing in my mind who are ready to make an appearance on the page. I have appreciated all your email replies, prayers, good thoughts, and support.
Blessings and love to you,
Narelle xo
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